Vinston Painter’s progress

Doc BearAug 14, 2013 2:00 PM

Broncos offensive tackle Vinston Painter was often overwhelmed in the preseason opener at San Francisco (he wasn’t alone - tenth-overall pick Chance Warmack learned that the NFL is different in his own first game), but the rookie has also been getting some positive comments from the coaching staff. This is what Jeff Legwold had to say, over at the Worldwide Leader:

When the Broncos selected Painter in the sixth round this past April, they saw an athletic project with a pile of potential. What they got was a player who has steadily worked his way up the depth chart, some by necessity because of injuries and some because he has advanced slightly more quickly than expected. Painter has worked much of the time as the backup right tackle, just behind Orlando Franklin. But the coaching staff showed this past week it doesn't think he's quite ready for work with the starters yet. Rather than simply elevating Painter after Franklin was injured, the coaches jumbled things up front, moving Louis Vasquez to right tackle in one practice and Chris Clark there in another.

For the last few years, I’ve been advocating for an upgrade at backup swing tackle - well, since they obtained starting RT Orlando Franklin, at least. He filled a huge need, but the team was still missing depth at OT. Finally, Denver took Painter in the sixth round of the 2013 Draft at pick #173, and it appears that he’s already turning some heads in camp. That’s no shock to me, although he’s far from ready to play on Sundays. This came from my notes on him:

6’4.25” 309 lb. Still filling out, has very low body fat, should be able to put on good weight (several sources including NFL.com’s video disagreed with CFN’s belief that he’s maxed out...; he has a good bubble w/ 34 inch arms. He has the powerful calves (Combine video @ 50-55 seconds proves it) give him the ability to anchor.”

In 2010 Painter, according to the Broncos website, “Excelled in the off-season program with a 465-pound bench press and 485-pound front squat."

Painter came to Virginia Tech as an offensive tackle but moved to defensive tackle during the fall of his redshirt freshman year, and he moved back to OL in the spring. He’s commented on how much playing DT has helped him in his work at tackle.

"I would say it kind of allows you to get into the mind of a defensive player,” Painter said.

I doubted that he’d be ready to play this season when Denver took him, and after watching the San Francisco game, with nothing but OTAs, minicamp, and two weeks of training camp under his belt, I still do. He has the tools but he’s still visibly raw, particularly when he’s lunging and bending at the waist rather than moving his feet to lock into his man. You also rarely find a college guy who can quickly switch his kickslide from LT to RT almost overnight, and Painter obviously can’t do that yet.

You can see him overcoming those tendencies at 10:25 of the second quarter. Denver's Philip Blake had a great block on Will Tukuafu that blew him off the line, and Painter’s assignment was on the second level, which he moved to and closed off very well. Both players looked like the guys Denver was hoping to get. It wasn’t a good night in general for Painter (or Blake, who’s not developing well), - and that’s exactly what I’d expected of Vinston.

After watching a lot of his film, though, I saw enough run technique and of what he still needs to work on that I’m comfortable that he’s got enough of the nascent skills to develop into the backup tackle that Denver’s been missing since Moses was a pup. His game improved in the fourth quarter - partly due to the competition being more on a par, and partly just due to settling in. It’s too soon to know if he’s someone you can polish or not - with Franklin you could see it in him immediately, but Painter’s not as ready. What he’s needed is a pro training program and better coaching. He’s getting it, and we watch from there.

His progress is likely to come from several factors. He came to the Broncos at only about 16% body fat, so I expect that he’s been on Luke Richesson's program to build the NFL body he’ll need, and he doesn’t have it yet. On the other hand, he’s smart, naturally strong, and understands the relative requirements of both OL and DL players in the trenches. He even played some special teams, and did so well. He had some experience at guard in 2010, but ended up as one of VT’s left tackles for the next three years, and started his senior year. That helps him have the positional versatility that’s so important in the NFL.

He also has the advantage of training with both Alex Gibbs and Dave Magazu. The Broncos have said that they took on Gibbs as much to train their younger players as to implement the stretch zone, of which he’s the acknowledged guru. The progress of Painter indicates just how smart that strategy is. Denver isn’t drafting many All-Pros, they say, but they’re determined to coach up a lot of them. Painter is a very good player for them to build up quickly - this summer’s experience with the OL has shown just how vulnerable a team becomes if the ‘next man up’ isn’t qualified to handle that situation. I love Chris Clark as an extra TE, but I think it's been shown beyond argument that he’s over his head at tackle.

Painter, as his first preseason game showed, isn’t going to be a factor in 2013. But this team is still being smart in the way that they’re looking at the blocks that will go into building for the future, and he’s a good example of that. Some such players will make it - some, probably including Philip Blake, won’t.

Painter’s reportedly noticeable camp progress mirrors the hopes I had when I watched his college film. I still expect that he’ll improve well. He could be a big help for the Broncos in 2014.

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Doc previews the Week 4 matchup between the Broncos and Raiders in Denver

I have to agree that you get better OL players in the first few rounds. Stockpiling 2nd and 3rd round picks is a good way to pick up good ones who may be able to play their first season.Good article,Doc. I am hoping this young man develops fast - and as you say - doesn't need to play until next season. For a group that used to be sort of taken for granted before Pat Bowlen began paying them more money - it is not that easy to put together a solid OL with adequate depth behind it.Hope that I am wrong about Walton - but he hasn't played for about a year. His moving back into the game may take longer than anticipated. I am sort of "holding my breath" there.

Posted by BlackKnigh on 2013-08-15 21:12:44

Doc,Two things:First of all, I'm one who liked the Painter pick and think he may develop quicker than expected, especially if he get's thrown into the fire for a game or two during the season. I expect to see noticeable improvement during the pre-season, which would make attempting to hide him on the PS risky.

Two - I've been one, as you know, that thinks that linemen should be picked earlier in the draft (as opposed to some who think that nothing earlier than 4th rd is worth it). Rarely do quality OL appear after rd 3, unlike most of the other positions where quality players are found, sometimes deep in the draft or even among the UDFAs.In looking at the current Bronco roster at OL this is how they were drafted:1st - Clady2nd - Franklin2nd - Beadles3rd - Vasquez3rd - Walton;4th - Ramirez4th - Blake5th - Kuper6th - Painter7th - VallosUDFA - LiljaUDFA - SaulsberryUDFA - DavisUDFA - GarlandUDFA - BorenUDFA - ClarkUDFA - CornickUDFA - Foketi

It's pretty obvious to me that the meat of our OL were drafted in the first 2-3 rds.Lilja is the only one drafted later who currently may have starter quality. Of the rest, currently I think Painter has the most upside, and I might take a chance on maybe Garland and Blake on the PS.My 8-man roster would be Clady, Franklin, Beadles, Vasquez, Ramirez, Lilja, , Painter, & Walton (unless the place him on the IR- then Kuper), If they take a chance on Painter on the PS, then Kuper.But I reserve the right to change my mind as pre-season progresses

Posted by ivanthenotsobad on 2013-08-14 23:50:53

We should remember that Ryan Harris really struggled in pre-season only to have a very good rookie year. If Painter is on the fast track, he could noticeably improve upon his performance between now and the beginning or mid-season. He got smoked several times, but he looked pretty athletic too.

With the interior of the offensive line shoring up, I am probably most concerned or puzzled now about their backup OT plan. As you said, Chris Clark has not looked good. Of all the positions on the team, I think OT is the point where a single injury to a starter would have the most adverse effect on the team and be the most difficult to overcome.

Posted by Broncos777 on 2013-08-14 19:15:44

Maybe. So far, Clark has had a target on his jersey when he steps in at tackle, so Paul Cornick would be a possibility in that mix. I suspect that Franklin would take over LT and either Clark or Painter would take RT. As I'd mentioned, I don't think any of the three is really ready for that slot, so let's hope for OT health this year.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-08-14 17:34:48

This should have no bearing on the appeal whatsoever. The suspension and appeal stem from NFL Substance Abuse policy infractions. This traffic violation and subsequent arrest for failure to appear would be under the Personal Conduct Policy. Substance abuse could get him suspended under Personal Conduct ("Criminal offenses, including those involving performance-enhancing substances, alcohol or other substances of abuse") but Personal Conduct can't get you suspended for Substance Abuse.

Wouldn't Clark get the first crack at starting if Franklin or Clady went down?

Posted by Hank Mardukis on 2013-08-14 17:08:56

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/... Jason Veldheer is out for an extended time with a torn triceps. The raiders hope to get him back for the end of the season. It's a tough blow for them - he was probably their best OL player

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-08-14 17:04:32

Thanks for giving it a shot! I know it's early, and the backup positions in particular have yet to be settled, but I like the look of the starters (though I'd love more stability at center). There's not a team in the league that would magically get better on the OL if a starter went down, but I like our overall flexibility, and the thought of Kuper on the bench gives some versatility to any possible shuffling in response to an injury.

Posted by Brian M. Jacobson on 2013-08-14 16:41:49

What is going on with that young man?

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-08-14 16:11:31

That's exactly right, David. Ugly thought, though, isn't it?

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-08-14 16:11:06

Very good Q, Brian, and very hard to answer. I think that we're looking at Clady, Beadles, Lilja/Ramirez (later in the season, I'd expect Lilja on the basis that his run blocking is vastly superior), Vasquez and Franklin, left to right.

Backups - Painter is certainly likely, although I hope they don't need him this year. Kuper's redone contract suggests that he'll make it, although his health worries me. Steve Vallos or Q. Saulsberry - Saulsberry's age gives him a shot at the PS (ditto Blake, if they see anything they think they can fix). CJ Davis I doubt, but when you're looking at the second team, who else survives and where they play matters. Garland is a maybe at G, probably G/C PS. Chris Clark might hold on to his position for another year - he's a good extra TE, just not really T material.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-08-14 16:10:22

He's not winning that appeal now.

Posted by Hank Mardukis on 2013-08-14 16:09:26

Blake just never seems to have made it over the hump. He's a little older and didn't get exposed to the game early - that could be it, or he might just have almost - but not quite - enough skill to make the leap. Disappointing, though.